Garden Intern (Summer 2020)

Growing Together Garden is a project of North Liberty Community Pantry (NLCP) that seeks to educate Pantry families and community members about beginning gardening and cooking skills, increase access to fresh produce, and cultivate the community around the Pantry by forming new relationships and connections through the framework of a shared garden space.

NLCP serves North Liberty and the surrounding towns and rural communities by making free food and clothing available to anyone in need. In 2019, NLCP served 763 families with dignity and respect in a welcoming atmosphere.

The intern selected will work directly with the Garden & Special Projects Coordinator, Amanda Vincent, as well as the other NLCP staff to accomplish the following tasks and additional tasks as needed by North Liberty Community Pantry. Specific internship goals will be discussed and determined to fit NLCP and intern’s needs.

-         Assist in recruiting event speakers or educators        

-         Improve or create curriculum for basic gardening and cooking education

-         Assist with registration of participants and recruitment of volunteers

-         Arrange childcare and activities as needed

-         Participate at events by distributing related materials, serving refreshments, and directing participants

-         Participate in Garden Committee Meetings

-         Work with volunteers during Tuesday and Thursday 4:30-6:30PM Garden times

-         Guide best practices for adults and children participants

-         Assist with produce storage, display, and distribution

-         Work with volunteers to encourage composting organic waste

-         Assist with Free Pantry Farmers Market distribution, volunteer training, and produce sampling and education

-         Assist with Pop-Up Produce Stands at North Liberty Summer Lunch and Fun

-         Help create and distribute posters, flyers, press releases for volunteer opportunities and Garden events

-         Update and create content for internal monthly garden email newsletter, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, online event calendars

-         Open to both undergraduate and graduate students

-         Passion for the mission of North Liberty Community Pantry

-         Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products—particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Publisher. Any experience with Bloomerang or Canva a plus.

-         Experience working with Gmail and Google documents (or eager to learn)

Summer (May-August), 10-15 hrs/week, 150 hour minimum, preferred 200-250 hours

Time commitment is negotiable depending upon the desired scope of the internship as long as it meets or exceeds 150 hours

This is a volunteer internship with a modest stipend available upon completion

Amanda Vincent, Garden & Special Projects Coordinator

(319) 626-2711

89 North Jones Blvd, North Liberty, IA 52317

Internship Approval Process

1)   Send Amanda a short paragraph of why you are interested in the internship (skills you have or skills you want to gain). Please also include a resume or a brief description of previous volunteer and job experience.

2)   Meet with Amanda and determine if internship will be a good fit for applicant and NLCP.

3)   If selected, determine internship time commitment, start and end dates, and cover specific goals.

4)   Sign internship agreement and set a date for intern to attend orientation.